Timileyin Ajayi, a 32-year-old man suspected of murdering Salome Adaidu, a 24-year-old National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, has been charged at the High Court of Justice in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
Gatekeepers News reports that Ajayi, who is also a gospel singer, faces a charge of culpable homicide, which is punishable by death under Section 221 of the Penal Code of Northern Nigeria.
During his arraignment before Judge Simon Aboki on Monday, Ajayi entered a plea of not guilty to the charges against him. He was apprehended by police in Nasarawa on January 12 after being found in possession of Adaidu’s severed head, which was discovered in a polythene bag.
Salome Adaidu, who was serving at Nicon Insurance in Abuja, had visited Ajayi’s residence located in the Papalana area of New Karshi in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa before her death.
In a confession, Ajayi stated that he killed Adaidu in a fit of anger upon learning that she had allegedly been unfaithful. He noted that he does not feel remorse for his actions.
“I didn’t plan to kill her. She is always cheating, she hides most things from me. I discovered she was cheating when I saw her phone, so I got angry seeing her chat with other guys, and that’s why I killed her,” he said.
“I do not have any regrets. I do not regret my actions because life is reciprocal. I caught her cheating on me. I told her about it but she denied it until I showed her the chat.
“She admitted and apologised. So, she went to the bathroom, she started some things and I couldn’t take it lightly. I went to the room, took a knife, I held her neck and I did what I had to do.
“I was not caught, I surrendered myself. If I did not want anybody to catch me, I would have done that; it is very simple. It is not a big thing to pay, I’m ready to face the wrath of the law.”
The remains of Salome Adaidu were laid to rest on January 14.
